CW’s British performances of 2011: No. 21

Number 21: Kristian House drops them all at the Tour of South AfricaFebruary

There are many ways to win a stage race but by far the hardest is to attack on the opening day and solo to victory by two minutes.

But that is what Rapha Condor Sharp rider Kristian House did in February. And just because the Tour of South Africa isn’t the biggest race in the world does not make it any easier. There were some powerful riders in the bunch, including a team from Europcar.

House got away with Czech rider Martin Blaha around halfway into the 154-kilometre stage to Montecasino.

With 50 kilometres to go, House’s pace was too hot for Blaha and on many of the rises, he dropped back.

House waited a couple of times but with more hills to come in the final 40 kilometres realised he’d have to go it alone.

From there he maintained a big gap and finished 2-22 ahead of the bunch. That was enough to set him up for the overall victory.

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